Emir of Lafia, Alhaji Sidi Bage Muhammad (rtd), has called on the government and traders’ unions to take urgent action to address the rising cost of food items and essential commodities.
The Emir made this appeal during a meeting with the leadership of the Nasarawa State Traders and Marketers Association at his palace in Lafia.
Alhaji Sidi’s appeal comes in the wake of renewed protests and threats of strikes by labor unions over the worsening economic situation in the country.
The Emir stressed the need for sustainable measures to stabilize the economy and provide opportunities for the poor to afford daily meals.
While acknowledging the Federal Government’s efforts in providing food palliatives to states, the Emir stressed the importance of decisive action to mitigate the impact of the cost-of-living crisis and restore hope to the citizens.
He also pointed to the importance of a sincere economic policy over simply reversing the fuel subsidy removal policy.
In his remarks, the President of the Nasarawa State Traders and Marketers Association, Musa Turaki-Gamji, called for a careful study of the nation’s monetary policy, citing issues such as dollarization, rising inflation, customs duty, and price control as areas needing attention.
He affirmed the union’s commitment to supporting government plans to alleviate the plight of the people.
He sought the support of the traditional institution and market forces in addressing the crisis, stating the need for collaborative efforts to improve the situation in the state.
